Rider dragged by van after crash

A 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a motorcyclist was dragged along by a car in a collision in Salford.

Police tried to stop a van which was towing a caravan on Bridgewater Road, but the driver carried on and drove through a red light.

The van, which was stolen from Darwen, Lancashire, then collided with the rider, dragging him about 800 yards (732m). He suffered minor injuries.

A boy, 15, was arrested on suspicion of stealing the van and failing to stop.

A second man ran off towards Walkden precinct, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.

Officer 'acted correctly'

GMP's Professional Standards Branch has been informed and will be reviewing the incident.

Insp Ian Hales, from the Road Policing Unit, said: "The driver deliberately drove off from police before driving through a red light and colliding with a motorbike.

"This act could have had fatal consequences, thankfully the cyclist only suffered minor injuries.

"At this stage I am confident the officer who pursued the driver acted correctly throughout the incident.

"It appears both the van and caravan were stolen and the driver failed to stop in a bid to evade arrest."

Police are appealing for witnesses for come forward.